A week ago Mike Sullivan surprised many when he said that Daniel Sprong was a "possibility" to play in the Penguins' second-round series after the organization's top prospect merely took part in the pre-game warmup prior to Game 1 against the Capitals.
On Thursday morning came further proof of this "possibility" — eventuality? — and it said so right in the Penguins' dressing room. Along the top of the home team's locker stalls at PPG Paints Arena, read two new — but familiar — nameplates: "16 JOORIS" and "41 SPRONG."
To be sure, a locker stall does not mean that either player, both members of the team's black aces, will be in the lineup in Game 4 tonight or any night. But it is curious, or just some really serious gamesmanship on the Penguins' part.
Sprong, of course, is the more compelling player. He was Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's leader this season in goals (32), assists (33) and points (65).
The 2015 second-rounder appeared in eight NHL games this winter, scoring two goals — both of them in a Jan. 5 win over the Islanders — to go along with one assist. Though he went into a slump after being returned to the AHL, he finished the regular season strong, scoring eight goals in the final 10 games.
Hmm, couldn't the NHL Penguins use a natural goal-scorer right about now?
They trail their second-round series 2-1 to the Capitals heading into tonight's game and are getting production from only one line of late. The knock on Sprong has been his defensive game but, clearly, that's not high among the Penguins' priorities right now.
I asked Sullivan about the 20-year-old Dutchman after the Penguins' morning skate, in which both Sprong and Jooris took the ice.
"Obviously his shot is one of his biggest assets, his scoring ability, he’s a dangerous scorer," Sullivan told me. "He’s improved in his overall two-way game. We've talked a lot with Daniel about puck support, supporting the puck, coming closer to it, the spacing between him and his linemates and how to support the puck in that aspect of his game. (Mark Recchi) has spent a lot of time with him one-on-one when he’s been up here. (Clark Donatelli's) staff has spent a lot of time with him when he’s been at Wilkes-Barre. We like the overall growth of his game. He’s a guy that our organization is very excited about."
Excited enough to throw him into the fire of the Stanley Cup Playoffs?
We'll have to see about that, but it would not be surprising if Sprong skates in another warmup tonight.
With Zach Aston-Reese out indefinitely, it appears that Dominik Simon will remain in the lineup — likely as the fourth-line left wing — at least for now. Simon has two assists in five games this spring, both coming in Games 4 and 5 against the Flyers in the first round. The Czech certainly had his chances in Game 1 against the Capitals, but couldn't finish. They were the kind of Grade-A chances that a pure sniper like Sprong probably wouldn't miss.
Since coming over from Carolina at the trade deadline, Jooris played in nine NHL games for the Penguins, recording nine shots on goal. With his speed alone, Jooris would seem an upgrade over Carter Rowney if Sullivan chooses to go the defensive route on the fourth line. Like Rowney, Jooris also kills penalties.
The expected return of Carl Hagelin should allow Sullivan to better balance out the top three lines. But with Derick Brassard likely to be reunited with Conor Sheary and Bryan Rust on the third line, that leaves Riley Sheahan on an island on the fourth line with only Simon and Tom Kuhnhackl to work with.
If Sullivan puts a player of Sprong's pedigree with Sheahan, who knows? Maybe the Penguins finally get some production from the fourth line.